| Match Pictures | Matches: 2004 – 2005 | 2004-2005 Pictures |
Trivia
- Hearts fans ensured a stormy opening by jeering during the minute's silence in memory of the Pope.
- Hearts supporters supremo John Borthwick refuses to condemn booing and his predecessor wants 20,000 Celtic fans jailed for singing The Soldiers' Song.
- Early goals in both halves eased Celtic into the Scottish Cup final.
- Sutton came into the Celtic starting line-up after recovering from injury, replacing Aiden McGeady in midfield.
- Ex-Celt, Mark Burchill, lined up for Hearts
Review
Alan Thompson tapped a corner to Stilian Petrov and slack marking allowed Sutton to slip between Steven Pressley and Andy Webster – and in front of goalkeeper Craig Gordon – to power his header home from six yards.
Hartley sent Mark Burchill clear down the wing and the former Celtic striker's cross was touched on by the midfielder, but Joe Hamill's strike from the edge of the box struck Valgaeren and was cleared.
There were few chances in a scrappy and lacklustre first half.
But Hartson was inches away from turning the ball into the net from close range after a Neil Lennon pass during a penalty-box scramble after the break.
Bellamy turned sharply in the box and his shot took a slight deflection off Andy Webster and slipped through the arms of Hearts' young Scotland goalkeeper.
A Bellamy cross struck Hearts' crossbar, Stanislav Varga had a header cleared off the line by Lee Wallace and Alan Thompson forced Gordon into a close-range save as Celtic threatened to run away with the game.
Jamie McAllister's excellent through ball found Cesnauskis inside the box and the midfielder lofted the ball over keeper David Marshall and into the far corner of the net with a deft chip from an acute angle.
Teams
Hearts:-
Gordon, Neilson (Cesnauskis 45), Pressley, Webster, McAllister, MacFarlane (Wyness 77), Hartley, Hamill (Kizys 58), Wallace, Burchill, Miller.
Subs Not Used:- Moilanen, Berra.
Goal:- Cesnauskis 60.
Celtic:-
Marshall, Varga, Balde, Valgaeren, McNamara, Lennon, Petrov, Sutton, Thompson, Bellamy, Hartson (McGeady 72).
Subs Not Used:- Douglas, Henchoz, Lambert, Maloney.
Goals:- Sutton 3, Bellamy 49.
Booked:- McGeady.
Att:- 38,505
Ref:- S Dougal.
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Hearts 1-2 Celtic
BBC
Early goals in both halves eased Celtic into the Scottish Cup final, where they will face Dundee United.
Chris Sutton made a significant return to the holders' side, heading home following poor marking by Hearts at a corner after just three minutes.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon let Craig Bellamy's shot on the turn slip in at his near post just after the break.
Deividas Cesnauskis replied with a superb chip, but Celtic held on to avenge last week's league defeat.
Sutton had come into the Celtic starting line-up after recovering from injury, replacing Aiden McGeady in midfield.
Joos Valgaeren was preferred in defence to Stephane Henchoz, the former Liverpool defender having been taken off early in last weekend's 2-0 league defeat.
Hearts head coach John Robertson brought back Paul Hartley in place of Marius Kizys, the Scotland midfielder having been suspended for the victory at Celtic Park.
Hearts fans ensured a stormy opening by jeering during the minute's silence in memory of the Pope.
And they were quickly silenced after kick off.
Alan Thompson tapped a corner to Stilian Petrov and slack marking allowed Sutton to slip between Steven Pressley and Andy Webster – and in front of goalkeeper Craig Gordon – to power his header home from six yards.
Hartley sent Mark Burchill clear down the wing and the former Celtic striker's cross was touched on by the midfielder, but Joe Hamill's strike from the edge of the box struck Valgaeren.
There were few chances in a scrappy and lacklustre first half.
But Hartson was inches away from turning the ball into the net from close range after a Neil Lennon pass during a penalty-box scramble.
Celtic looked to have killed off the game four minutes after the break.
Bellamy turned sharply in the box and his shot took a slight deflection off Andy Webster and slipped through the arms of Hearts' young Scotland goalkeeper.
A Bellamy cross struck Hearts' crossbar, Stanislav Varga had a header cleared off the line by Lee Wallace and Alan Thompson forced Gordon into a close-range save as Celtic threatened to run away with the game.
But the introduction of Lithuanian pair Cesnauskis and Kizys gave Hearts new impetus.
Jamie McAllister's excellent through ball found Cesnauskis inside the box and the midfielder lofted the ball over keeper David Marshall and into the far corner of the net with a deft chip from an acute angle.
However, a Burchill shot from eight yards that was blocked on the turn was the closest Hearts came to forcing a replay.
Hearts: Gordon, Neilson (Cesnauskis 45), Pressley, Webster, McAllister, MacFarlane (Wyness 77), Hartley, Hamill (Kizys 58), Wallace, Burchill, Miller.
Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Berra.
Goal: Cesnauskis 60.
Celtic: Marshall, Varga, Balde, Valgaeren, McNamara, Lennon, Petrov, Sutton, Thompson, Bellamy, Hartson (McGeady 72).
Subs Not Used: Douglas, Henchoz, Lambert, Maloney. Booked: McGeady.
Goals: Sutton 3, Bellamy 49.
Att: 38,505
Ref: S Dougal
O'Neill admits to Hampden nerves
BBC
O'Neill is determined to make greater progress in Europe
Hearts 1-2 Celtic
Martin O'Neill admitted to nerves by the end but insisted that his Celtic side merited their 2-1 win over Hearts to progress to the Scottish Cup final.
"We deserved our two-goal lead and were in absolute control until we conceded the goal," said the Celtic manager.
"The natural reaction is to fall back and we allowed Hearts possession in midfield and they put us under a bit of pressure there.
"It was uncomfortable towards the end, but we deserved our victory."
HEARTS fans leaders today refused to condemn yobs who jeered during a minute’s silence for Pope John Paul II at yesterday’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
Several of the club’s most prominent supporters today rounded on the minority who sullied Hearts’ name during the showpiece match against Celtic, which was beamed around the world by Sky television.
They demanded tough action against those who booed and jeered during the tribute. Six people were charged with sectarian aggravated breach of the peace following events at the match.
But today the secretary of the Federation of Hearts Supporters’ Clubs, John Borthwick, refused to make any comment on the conduct of the fans at yesterday’s match. "I have nothing to say about it," he said. Although the majority of Hearts fans observed the minute’s silence, referee Stuart Dougal ended the tribute less than halfway through because of the noise from some sections.
Mr Borthwick’s response was a stark contrast with leading Heart supporters, who criticised the fans’ conduct as "a disgrace" and "embarrassment" and demanded tough action.
Former Hearts chairman Leslie Deans said those responsible for disturbing the minute’s silence should be traced and prosecuted.
"I was at the game and I heard the booing. These fans should be dealt with appropriately through the courts.
"In relation to the minute’s silence, it was regrettable that this happened but it would not be appropriate to hold the club responsible.
"No action should be taken against the club because it is not the club’s fault that a few people didn’t have the decency to observe a minute’s silence for the Pope."
Former lord provost Eric Milligan branded the fans’ behaviour an "embarrassment to everybody associated with Hearts football club".
He added: "It is also a disgrace to the Scottish Catholic community. The whole world was observing the minute’s silence following the death of the Pope and it is disgusting that these people had to ruin it. It is totally unacceptable. "If Strathclyde Police bring charges against the people responsible, then they will have to answer the charges or face the consequences."
Senior city councillor and Hearts fan Brian Fallon added: "I’m disappointed and embarrassed for the club."
However, former vice chairman of the Federation of Hearts Supporters’ Club, Robin Beith, said the SFA had to take at least some responsibility for what happened. "This type of situation does lend itself to people acting in an antisocial manner.
"The Pope is unrelated to football and the SFA should have known better than to have a minute’s silence – I think they were ill advised," he said.
"Are the 20,000 other [Celtic] fans who were singing the Republic of Ireland’s national anthem going to be arrested too?"
Hearts chief executive Phil Anderton apologised to Celtic and the Scottish Football Association. He said: "It is disturbing that some Hearts fans failed to see the significance of this occasion." Hearts had appealed to fans on Friday to respect the minute’s silence."
Last month the Scottish Executive announced it is planning to introduce English-style "banning orders" aimed at the small hard-core of people who "use football as an excuse to indulge in unacceptable violence and bigoted abuse" and so make life a misery for other fans.
Ministers believe the orders can help curb football-related violence, claiming they have been highly effective since being introduced in England and Wales 16 years ago. They say that, from 1992 to 2002, arrests for football-related offences down south fell by 30 per cent and attendance figures increased while arrests for racist chanting, missile throwing and violent and public order offences fell.
The orders would also apply to matches abroad involving the national side or Scottish teams, the Executive claiming that, following the extension of their application to overseas matches, there were only 53 arrests of English fans at Euro 2004, in contrast with 945 at Euro 2000 and 278 at the World Cup in France in 1998.
All Scottish clubs have now been asked for their opinions on the proposals which have been asked for by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. Both Hearts and Hibs will no doubt pay careful attention to these proposals.
Hearts say sorry for fans who booed Pope tribute
THE SCOTSMAN Monday 11 April 2005
HEARTS football club have apologised for the behaviour of some of their fans who booed and jeered a silent tribute to Pope John Paul II.
The incident occurred before the start of yesterday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Hearts at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Both teams had agreed to a minute’s silence before kick-off but the tribute was marred by booing from a section of the Edinburgh support. As a result, the referee cut the minute’s silence to 24 seconds.
Phil Anderton, Hearts’ chief executive, condemned the behaviour of the club’s fans and moved quickly to apologise to Celtic and the Scottish Football Association (SFA). He said: "The club could not and would not condone the actions of those who chose to undermine the tribute to Pope John Paul II before the semi-final.
"Scottish football chose to join with people around the world to observe and respect the minute of silence and it is disturbing that some Hearts fans failed to see the significance of this occasion. There is no room for that sort of behaviour in the game.
"We are trying to generate an atmosphere where families are happy to return to football grounds around the country and the fact their actions will have been covered live by Sky [television] across the UK and beyond will have done those ambitions no favours at all."
During the game the Sky match commentator Ian Crocker commented: "Sadly some people were unable to show respect."
Mr Anderton added that Hearts appealed on Friday to all fans travelling to the game at Hampden Park to respect the minute of silence. He said he would also be writing to Celtic and the SFA to apologise on behalf of those who failed to adhere to the club’s request.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, whose team went on to win the tie 2-1, said that the jeering "wasn’t very clever, was it?" He refused to be drawn further into the controversy.
Peter Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs, said: "It’s a bit sad that you can’t even allocate one minute to the memory of a huge figure on the world stage. In this day and age, it reflects very badly on Scotland."
Celtic fan Donald Forrester, who has lived in Edinburgh for the last 20 years, said he was "disgusted" with the behaviour of Hearts fans at the semi-final.
The Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League last week decided to leave the decision over whether to hold a minute’s silence before league matches to the clubs involved.
The SFA, however, ordered the tribute to be held before both of the cup semi-finals.
Hearts’ manager John Robertson said: "It was always going to be a difficult one today. People did observe it and they deserve credit. But people have different beliefs and my religion is football and that’s all I’m concerned about."
As a result of the Pope’s death, UEFA requested that a minute’s silence be observed before kick-off at all European games last week, while all sporting events in Italy, including Serie A football matches, were cancelled at the weekend. Campaigning for the forthcoming Italian regional elections was also suspended until after the Pope’s funeral, held on Friday.
The country’s Ferrari team, raced in last Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, but the cars wore a black mark of respect.
The rock band Queen also played a concert in Rome three days before the Pontiff’s funeral, despite opposition from within the Vatican. Before the show, Guido Bertolaso, who was overseeing Rome’s arrangements for Pope John Paul II’s funeral, said it would be "in very bad taste right now" and urged the band to postpone their performance.
Bellamy admits Hughes admiration BBC
Craig Bellamy has admitted admiration for Mark Hughes in the wake of the Blackburn Rovers manager expressing an interest in the on-loan Celtic striker.
Bellamy, who scored in Celtic's 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Hearts, was not ruling out remaining with the Scottish champions.
But he said: "I know the coaching staff at Blackburn and they are great people.
"I am very fortunate to have worked with Mark Hughes with Wales, but I will see what my options are in the summer."
Bellamy is unlikely to return to Newcastle United, having been loaned to Celtic after falling out with new manager Graeme Souness.
But there is a question mark over whether Celtic could afford the transfer fee likely to be demanded by the Premiership club.
This is the happiest I have been for some time
Craig Bellamy
It is also believed that Bellamy himself would probably prefer a return to English football, although guaranteed Champions League football with Celtic is an attractive option.
And Hughes last week admitted that, having failed with a previous bid for Bellamy, he might try again at the end of the season.
"But I have had a few troubles as everyone knows and the only thing I am thinking about is to be happy with my football and, at the moment, this is the happiest I have been for some time," he told BBC Sport.
"I am really enjoying my time here at Celtic.
"This will be the first cup final I have been involved in and there is a chance of two trophies by the end of the season as I hope to help the club retain the championship.
"I've definitely been inspired but when you come to a club like Celtic it's hard not to be inspired.
"It's such a great club and I'm just really happy to be playing football.
"I'm playing the position I love playing, I'm playing with players I love being with day in, day out and I'm really happy at the moment."
Hedman considering end of career
BBC
Magnus Hedman
Magnus Hedman finds himself third choice at Celtic
Celtic goalkeeper Magnus Hedman has threatened to turn his back on football following the collapse of his marriage.
The 32-year-old, who is third choice behind Rab Douglas and David Marshall, and wife Magdalena revealed last week that they plan to divorce.
And he told the News of the World: "I will try to get through this season. Then I will make a decision.
"I don't know if I have got the strength to continue. My football career is not important."
Manager Martin O'Neill has already said that he has no chance of keeping all three goalkeepers happy next season.
Hedman, who was not even on the bench as Celtic beat Hearts in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final, could return to Sweden to play for his first club, AIK Stockholm.
"My thoughts are with the family, the children and their future," he said.
"But, if I continue with my football career, I need to be motivated to stay at the top level.
"I could return to Sweden to play football, but there is only one club I would play for and that is AIK."